Thoughts on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Rick Steves’ Travel Blog

These days is a profoundly sad day. Russia’s intense motion is heartbreaking for the demise, suffering, and financial turmoil it will trigger in Ukraine and, indirectly at the very least, further than. Right here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic alternative can be uncovered and peace will return to that fragile and extended-suffering section of our earth.

Our mission at RSE is to aid Individuals far better know and realize our neighbors as a result of vacation. But when we deliver tourists to an additional state, we also carry their dollars — bucks that would aid Putin’s aggression. Consequently, as of now, we have canceled all 2022 excursions that contain a cease in Russia.

Of system, we will hold a near eye on unfolding gatherings and watch any travel impacts as a result of the rest of Europe. But it is critical to maintain geographic realities in intellect and remember that a war in Ukraine is as far from our European trip desires as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 decades now, we have lived, worked, and traveled by lots of periods of tragic warfare in lands much from where by we direct our excursions (and some nearer). And at this time, we see no purpose to adjust the relaxation of our vacation and touring options.

The tragic reality unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how vital it is for Us citizens to retain on touring and to do so in a way that would make us much better and a lot more engaged citizens of our environment. I’m traveling to Europe upcoming thirty day period for a 40-working day vacation through a dozen great towns from London to Athens — and I’m happy that hundreds of my fellow tourists will working experience the European journey of their dreams although obtaining prosperous discovering encounters significantly from property on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.

In the meantime, let’s be grateful for our blessings, help our nation’s leaders as they do their greatest to navigate this disaster, and keep the troubled corners of our planet (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and additional) in our ideas and prayers.

—Rick